The Australian Dental Association NSW (ADA NSW) welcomes news from the government that the national Child Dental Benefits Schedule is being extended from two to four years.

“Good health starts in early childhood and the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) has an important role. Oral health is key to overall good health and tooth decay is a real problem in Australia - it's the most common chronic disease in childhood,” said ADA NSW President Dr Ronan Krishnan.

Statistics show that around 45% of kids in Australia haven't visited the dentist by the age of 5 according to the last Australian Oral Health Tracker

“If you don't go to the dentist, it causes huge problems later in life - there are about 70,000 potentially preventable hospitalisations for dental conditions every year in Australia,” added Dr Krishnan.

While the longer time frame is a good first step, the ADA NSW is also calling on the government to better promote the CDBS and bolster its utilisation. Many dentists are supporting the scheme, but only about 40% of children across Australia access the CDBS, and particularly families from the most disadvantaged areas are missing out.

The ADA NSW would like to see more promotional activities such as going into schools, they could work with our Federal and state branches to best market and promote it – and could work with the ADA NSW to find the areas most in need.

The national Child Dental Benefits Schedule, which since 2014 has looked after the teeth of more than 900,000 disadvantaged kids. The means-tested scheme, under which vulnerable children under 17 can get up to $1026 over two years for basic dental work, has delivered 7.6 million treatments in eight years. Funding for the scheme was due to end next year but was yesterday extended for another four years.

“There is also more the Federal and State Governments can do for oral health - they also can start working with us as the state branch to address the maldistribution of dentists, think about a Senior Dental Benefits Scheme for older Australians and older Australians in care homes who are missing out on oral health,” said Dr Krishnan.

For parents who want more information, talk to your dentist or go on the ADA national website or www.adansw.com.au for more info or check if you are eligible.

About: ADA NSW is the peak body representing dentists and dental students in NSW and the ACT, with about 5,000 members. They have been supporting dentists and promoting good oral health in the community since 1929.